Chelle publishes list of 27 including six home-based players that will prosecute Unity Cup

SUPER Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has published his list of 27 invitees called to camp to prosecute the forthcoming Unity Cup tournament taking place in London later this month between May 26 and 30.

Always favourable to Nigeria, the Unity Cup will see the Super Eagles participating alongside Jamaica, Zimbabwe and India. Taking place at The Valley, the home ground of English Championship side Charlton Athletic, the tournament will see Nigeria trying to defend the trophy she won last year after defeating Jamaica on penalties following a 2-2 draw in regulation time.

This time around, Nigeria will face Zimbabwe in the opening game on Tuesday, May 26 and then go on to face the winner of the Jamaica vs India game if they qualify for the final. Following the massive success of the 2025 edition, which saw Nigeria crowned champions at Brentford, the 2026 tournament marks a sentimental return to The Valley, where it was last hosted in 2004.

Over recent weeks, Mr Chelle said that he will be using the tournament to try out several new players who can be added to the current Super Eagles pool. Today, Mr Chelle unveiled his squad of 27 that included six home-based players from the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL).

Also, among the new invitees are Zadok Yohanna, Femi Azeez and Owen Oseni, all receiving their first call-ups after impressive club performances in Europe. Their inclusion highlights Chelle’s willingness to broaden Nigeria’s attacking options and reward consistent form at club level, particularly for players operating in competitive European environments.

Mr Chelle's six NPFL players include Michael Atata (Ikorodu United), Elias Ochobi (Rivers United), Chibueze Oputa (Rangers), Aderemi Alhassan (Ikorodu City), Ayobami Adeoye (Shooting Stars) and Oyedokun Junior (Ikorodu City) earning opportunities to impress on the international stage. Experienced players like Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon, Terem Moffi, and Raphael Onyedika also make the list, providing balance and leadership to the youthful squad.

Full squad:

Goalkeepers

Francis Uzoho (Omonia, Cyprus), Arthur Okonkwo (Wrexham, England), Michael Atata (Ikorodu United, Nigeria)

Defenders:

Emmanuel Fernandez (Rangers, Scotland), Chibuike Nwaiwu (Trabzonspor, Turkey), Igho Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic), Elias Ochobi (Rivers United, Nigeria), Chibueze Oputa (Rangers, Nigeria), Obinna Igboke (Rangers, Nigeria), Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos, Greece)

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Beşiktaş JK, Turkey), Samson Tijani (Dukla Prague, Czech Republic), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium), Tochukwu Nnadi (Olympique de Marseille, France), Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa, Italy), Alhassan Yusuf (New England Revolution, USA), Aderemi Adeoye (Ikorodu City, Nigeria), Ayobami Adeoye (Shooting Stars, Nigeria), Oyedokun Junior (Ikorodu City, Nigeria)

Forwards:

Moses Simon (Paris, France), Akor Adams (Sevilla, Spain), Philip Otele (Hamburger, Germany), Oseni Owen (Plymouth, England), Zadok Abu Yohanna (AIK, Sweden), Terem Moffi (Porto, Portugal), Rafiu Durosinmi (Pisa, Italy), Femi Azeez (Millwall, England).